March 29, 2005 - Look on the Bright Side

Well, Teah is now over 15 months old and she had her 15 month checkup last week. I have updated her information on the side of the page - 23 lbs - what a big girl! (although that's 50th percentile). Since she turned 15 months I feel like she's really entered into the toddler stage. She had a HORRIBLE time at her doctors appointment culminating in her throwing up all over us when we got home. :( We're going to start practicing with Daddy's doctor toys so she'll be a little more comfortable next time. Also, she's started into the tantrums phase. She'll scream and scream when she doesn't get her own way. ugh.

But, I thought about all of the negative writing I've been doing and wanted to look on the bright side and talk about what a cute, cute, cute little girl Teah is. She really loves to wave and practices all the time. She's also really good at giving Daddy high-fives. She'll come up to me now and lift her arms up, wanting me to pick her up. And then she'll spontaneously give me a kiss. She loves to give kisses! She kisses mommy and daddy and Elmo and pictures of Grandma and Grandpa and animal cookies and ... anything really! She loves taking her socks off and putting them back on as a fun game (with mommy's help of course). She also loves to walk. Anytime we go somewhere that she can just walk continuously she loves it. She looked really cute today toddling around Marshall Field's and she'll even hold my hand most of the time.

What a great little girl - even with the tantrums :)

March 11th - My baby's growing up

Teah is really diving head first into toddlerhood lately. Yesteday she used a fork for the first time - I mean really used it. She stabbed a piece of sweet potato all on her own, and then got it into her mouth using only the fork. What a big girl! I was such a proud mommy :) She's doing her best to run, but still her body gets ahead of her feet and she falls - I'm sure that it won't be long. She's also getting into animals sounds. If I ask her what sound a dog makes, she'll say "ooof ooof ooof". She claps her hands when she sees something exciting and thinks that going down the slide is really a lot of fun. Where did my baby go?!

March 7th - The 2nd time is NOT a charm

Well, today was our flight home from Atlanta - Teah's second time on a plane. As we were pulling up to the airport I made a comment that the first flight went so well something must go wrong with this one - that may have been an understatement! :O The trip started off with the attendant at the gate unable to ensure that there would be an empty seat next to us for the carseat - in a very rude and unhelpful way of course. I decided to just bring the seat on board and hope for the best. As we boarded, the same attendant took our ticket and we walked down the hallway, Teah, myself, the stroller w/ the carseat in the basket, and two bags. As we walked we came to a staircase - yes a staircase! The attendant didn't mention this or offer any help or alternate route. I went back and asked her (very politely) how I was supposed to get down. She told me to fold the stroller up and take it with me!?! As if I can carry a baby, carseat, stroller, and two bags. I mentioned this and she said I wasn't listening - and then she repeated herself. seriously. I suggested that I could just leave the stroller at the top of the stairs and she responded that maybe she could get someone to bring it down - MAYBE? So, to make a long story a little less long, another passenger ended up having to carry the stroller down for me as we walked down the stairs and directly outside onto the runway to board our puddle hopper of a plane; 30 rows with two seats on either side. Now I have ear problems when flying, so after an hour and a half of entertaining a cranky baby who had only taken an hour nap that day my ears really started to bother me as we started our descent. Teah started crying and pulling at her ears as well even with her pacifier in. So I gave her a bottle even though she had just eaten dinner in hopes to help her pain and stop the screaming child. It helped her ears, but not long after drinking 5 ounces - she threw up all over herself and the carseat (which we did fit in since the plane was half empty - seems like she could've told me that!). So, I'm cleaning up puke and changing Teah's clothes on the way down - ugh. She was pretty happy after throwing up at least. And it was great to see Robert when he picked us up at the airport and Teah was excited to see her Daddy. Of course, I spent that evening doing baby laundry and hand washing the carseat cover and straps. Now I am going to promptly forget the whole experience! :)

February 28th - There's a First Time for Everything

Well, this week Teah has had two big firsts. Her first swim class and her first airplane trip.

Monday night was Teah's first swim class. A swim class for a one-year old you say? It's true. I thought we'd just be having some fun splashing, but we're actually learning and practicing some skills for the future. Teah's learning how to climb out of the pool and hold on to the side of the pool by herself. We're also practicing her lying on her back in the water and also her holding on to my shoulders while kicking straight-legged. Surprisingly, Teah wasn't afraid of the pool at all. I think she's a bit confused and thinks it's more like the bathtub, because she kept wanting me to let go of her! :O Her age is a bit challenging in class, because she's not quite old enough to follow instructions, but definitely old enough to have a mind of her own! :) We'll be well prepared come summer time when our own pool opens.

Tuesday night was Teah's first flight. She did great! Thankfully the flight wasn't full and they left an extra seat next to us - so I brought on her carseat and she sat in it the entire flight to Atlanta. The flight was only 1 hr. 40 minutes, so that sure helped. We ate dinner, read books, and played with toys. As expected there was a lot of entertaining to be done (if only we had a portable DVD player Elmo could've filled that role :), but very little complaining on the part of Teah. It seemed like her ears bothered her a bit on the way down, but her bedtime bottle appeared to fix the problem. Our flight arrived 20 minutes early and our luggage was ready when we got to baggage claim. All in all a good experience!